r 9-cyv 


DIOCESE  OF  CINCINNATI. 


MEMORANDUM  OF  SOME  DIRECTIONS 


GIVEN  TO  THE 


REV.  CLERGY  OF  THE  DIOCESE, 

AT  THE 

). 

CLOSE  OF  THE  SPIRITUAL  EXERCISES, 
October  9th  and  16th  1880. 

NOW  DIRECTED  TO  ALL  THE  CLERGY  SECULAR  AND 
REGULAR  ENGAGED  IN  THE  -SACRED  MINISTRY 
IN  THE  ARCHDIOCESE  OF  CINCINNATI. 


Catholic  Telegraph  Print. 

1880. 


P\ 


a 


_ 


1' 


DIOCESE  OF  CINCINNATI 


MEMORANDUM  OF  SOME  DIRECTIONS 


GIVEN  TO  THE 


REV.  CLERGY  OF  THE  DIOCESE, 


AT  THE 


CLOSE  OF  THE  SPIRITUAL  EXERCISES, 


October  9th  and  16th  1880. 


NOW  DIRECTED  TO  ALL  THE  CLERGY  SECULAR  AND 
REGULAR  ENGAGED  IN  THE  SACRED  MINISTRY 
IN  THE  ARCHDIOCESE  OF  CINCINNATI. 


Catholic  Telegraph  Print. 

1880. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/memorandumofsomeOOcath 


&tr1> 

mu 


As  religion  progresses,  we  must  strive  to  conform  more  nearly 
to  the  ordinary  methods  of  the  Church  in  her  care  of  souls- 
Your  Venerable  Archbishop,  after  forty-seven  years  of  de¬ 
voted  toil,  having  cultivated  the  thinly  scattered  Missions  of  Ohio, 
into  three  populous  dioceses,  well. supplied  with  Clergy,  and  with 
Institutions  of  religion,  charity  and  education,  earnestly  desires  to 
see  his  Archdiocese  of  Cincinnati  make  new  steps  towards  per¬ 
fecting  its  organization. 

DIVISION  OF  PARISHES. 

It  will  contribute  a  great  deal  to  make  your  labors  more 
efficient,  and  satisfactory  to  yourselves  and  your  congregations, 
to  establish  the  division  of  parishes  ;  and  observe  more  closely  the 
relations  of  each  Pastor  to  his  own  flock. 

It  was  not  practicable  while  the  congregations  were  only 
forming  :  but  the  time  is  come,  when  it  is  useful  and  even 
necessary  to  make  this  division. 

Therefore,  although  each  Priest  has  faculties  for  all  the  diocese, 
yet  it  is  directed,  that  henceforth  each  one  must  avoid  interfer¬ 
ing  with  persons,  and  places  belonging  to  another  Pastor’s  juris¬ 
diction  in  those  things  which  in  canonical  Parishes  pertain  to  the 
Parish  Priest. 

Baptism,  Confirmation,  First  Communion,  Marriage,  Extreme 
Unction,  Holy  Viaticum  and  Burial  are  the  chief  matters  that  must 
be  subject  to  the  Pastor  of  the  Congregation. 

Consequently,  in  all  these,  every  Priest,  before  acting,  must 
ascertain  whether  the  person  concerned  is  under  his  charge  ;  and 
if  not,  the  party  must  be  referred  to  his  or  her  own  Pastor. 

Since  in  the  beginning,  the  lines  in  some  places  may  not  be 
very  precisely  drawn  ;  each  one  must,  in  cases  of  doubt,  use  his 
prudent  discretion  :  so  as  on  the  one  hand  not  to  cause  disorder  ; 
and  on  the  other,  not  to  leave  persons  deprived  of  the  helps  of  re¬ 
ligion.  Pastors  must  exercise  courtesy  and  forbearance  towards 
each  other  ;  and  try  to  work  harmoniously. 

In  the  City  of  Cincinnati,  where  churches  have  been  multi- 
x  plied  so  much,  many  persons  have  continued  attached  to  the  one 


4 


they  first  attended,  although  another  one  has  been  built  much 
nearer  to  them.  In  consideration  of  this  and  other  circumstances, 
with  the  advice  of  the  most  experienced  Pastors,  it  is  ordered  for 
the  present  time,  that  persons  and  families  who  now  hold  seats  in 
any  church,  may  continue  to  be  subjects  of  the  Pastor  of  that 
church  —  even  though  they  reside  in  another  parochial  district. 

If,  however,  they  give  up  their  seat  in  that  church  they 
become  subject  to  the  Pastor  of  the  Congregation  in  which  they 
live  —  they  can  not  choose  another  one. 

To  establish  the  lines,  adjoining  Pastors  are  requested  to  pro¬ 
ceed  without  further  notice  to  confer  with  each  other  concerning 
their  respective  limits  ;  and  report  on  or  before  the  15th  of 
January  to  the  Coadjutor  for  his  consideration  and  decision. 

If  in  some  urgent  case,  the  Priest  judges  conscientiously  that 
charity  requires  him  to  act  in  regard  to  persons  who  are  not  under 
his  charge,  he  must  as  soon  as  possible  inform  the  proper  Pastor 
of  what  he  has  done,  and  of  his  reasons  for  it. 

Of  course,  any  Pastor  may  authorize  persons  ot  his  charge  to 
apply  to  another  Priest ;  and  this  should  always  be  done  in 
writing. 

If  parties  to  be  married  belong  to  two  different  congregations  : 
they  may  choose  either  of  their  Pastors  to  perform  the  ceremony. 

Since  confession  may  be  made  to  any  authorized  Priest,  if 
one  is  called  especially  to  a  sick  person  not  of  his  own  congrega¬ 
tion,  charity  should  prompt  him  to  go  if  possible.  But  even  then, 
Viaticum  or  Extreme  Unction  should  be  administered  by  the 
Pastor  of  the  person  :  unless  the  urgency  of  the  case,  or  the  con¬ 
venience  of  both  Priests  should  induce  the  confessor  to  administer  ; 
in  which  case  the  Pastor  should  be  informed  as  above. 

It  follows,  that  no  Priest  must  admit  a  child  belonging  to  an¬ 
other  congregation  to  First  Communion  or  Confirmation,  with¬ 
out  the  approval  of  the  child’s  Pastor. 

In  Boarding  Schools,  the  Priest  in  charge  of  the  Institution 
holds  the  place  of  Pastor  over  the  pupils. 

Each  one  is  free  to  attend  any  Catholic  Church  he  may 
wish  ;  to  hold  a  pew  or  seat  therein  ;  and  to  receive  there  the 
Sacraments  of  Penance  and  Holy  Communion  :  provided  he  holds 
a  seat  likewise  in  his  own  Pastoral  Church  ;  and  contributes  his 
fair  portion  to  the  support  of  it. 

Persons  living  out  at  service  belong  to  the  church  of  the 
district  in  which  they  lodge  at  night. 


-  5  - 

ASSISTANT  PRIESTS. 


An  Assistant  Priest,  as  his  title  indicates,  is  to  assist  the  Priest 
in  whatever  labors,  for  the  congregation,  or  for  the  missions,  the 
Pastor  may  assign  to  him. 

There  must  of  course  be  reciprocal  regard  ;  great  respect  for 
the  sacred  character  of  a  Priest  of  God  —  which  belongs  equally  to 
each  of  them  ;  and  great  mutual  good  will  be  derived  by  working 
together  in  a  brotherly  spirit  for  the  good  of  souls.  The  Pastor 
ought  not  to  trammel  the  usefulness  of  the  Assistant  by  unwise 
restrictions  ;  and  the  Assistant  must  not  injure  the  good  order  of 
the  congregation,  by  engaging  in  any  works  of  religion  or  charity 
without  the  approval  of  the  Pastor.  In  all  questions  between 
them,  the  Pastor’s  authority  must  prevail,  until  otherwise  directed 
by  the  Bishop. 

In  regard  to  marriages,  the  jurisdiction  and  the  responsibility 
pertain  to  the  Pastor.  He  is  to  judge  how  far  it  is  expedient  to 
reserve  them  to  himself,  and  how  far  to  delegate  them  to  his 
Assistant. 

The  determination  of  their  salaries  and  their  financial  lelations 
to  each  other  are  to  be  observed  as  already  established. 

PRIESTLY  DEPORTMENT. 

With  regard  to  Priestly  conduct  the  regulations  already  made 
must  be  carefully  observed  :  and  especially  must  Priests  take  care 
not  to  go  into  public  drinking  houses,  nor  to  public  bars  or  other 
places  in  which  —  though  not  necessarily  sinful  —  their  presence 
would  give  pain  to  good  Catholics,  and  furnish  the  enemies  of 
religion  with  ground  for  reproach. 

Priests  must  rise  in  time  to  make  proper  spiritual  preparation 
before  Mass. 

Ordinarily  they  must  have  hours  fixed  for  celebrating  Mass 
both  on  Sundays  and  week  days.  They  should  be  vested  and  be 
ready  to  begin  exactly  at  the  hour  named.  A  delay  of  two  or  three 
minutes  is  very  disagreeable  for  persons  waiting  in  church  and 
having  duties  expecting  them  at  home  ;  as  it  would  be  very  dis¬ 
agreeable  to  the  Priest  himself,  if  he  were  kept  that  long  at  the 
Altar  waiting  for  the  server. 

A  Priest  should  always  make  a  thanksgiving  after  Mass,  of  at 
least  fifteen  minutes  ;  and  either  before  or  after  Mass,  make  a 
meditation  of  half  an  hour. 

It  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  too  many  of  the  people  go 


6 


away  after  Holy  Communion  without  making  a  thanksgiving.  — 
The  Priest’s  fidelity  to  that  duty,  will  be  his  best  means  to  make 
them  fulfil  it. 

MARRIAGE. 

A  great  many  of  the  most  deplorable  evils  of  the  day,  arise 
from  the  neglect  of  God’s  laws  concerning  the  Sacrament  of 
Matrimony. 

Do  all  you  can  to  have  your  people  understand  the  holiness 
of  marriage,  the  obligations  of  the  married  life,  and  the  means 
God  has  furnished  to  strengthen  the  married  couple,  for  the  ful¬ 
filment  of  their  duties;  the  means  particularly  of  frequent  use  of 
Confession  and  Holy  Communion. 

Instruct  them  also  that  persons  intending  to  enter  the  married 
state,  should  be  guided  by  the  fear  and  the  love  of  God,  and  by 
the  interest  of  their  souls  :  both  in  the  choice  of  their  future 
consort,  and  in  all  their  conduct  during  the  time  that  precedes 
their  marriage.  God  has  instituted  marriage  to  be  a  great  source 
of  happiness  in  this  world  and  the  next.  But  it  is  God  alone 
Who  can  give  that  happiness;  hence  they  who  wish  to  enjoy  it 
must  take  care  not  to  go  against  God’s  will,  and  above  all,  not  to 
bring  down  His  anger  instead  of  His  blessing  upon  their  union. 
Let  them  during  the  time  of  their  acquaintance  encourage  each  other 
in  the  practice  of  all  virtues,  especially  modesty  of  behavior;  and 
purity,  both  of  body  and  mind.  This  will  give  them  a  solid 
esteem  for  each  other,  and  a  mutual  confidence  ;  and  it  will 
furnish  a  well  grounded  hope  of  being  to  each  other  a  true  sup¬ 
port  and  comfort  under  the  burdens  and  trials  of  life. 

Instruct  your  flocks  on  the  most  common  impediments  to 
Matrimony.  Expose  to  them  particularly  the  evils  too  often 
arising  from  a  Catholic’s  marrying  a  person  who  is  not  a  Catholic. 
Tell  them  how  easily  a  Non-Catholic  may  seek  and  obtain  a 
divorce,  and  believe  himself  free  to  marry  again;  while  the 
Catholic  party  knows  that  a  new  marriage  would  bring  down 
God’s  anger. 

Tell  them  of  the  difficulties  of  practising  their  religion  in  a 
mixed  marriage;  and  of  bringing  up  children  to  practise  and  love 
their  religion,  while  they  see  one  of  their  parents  regarding  it  as 
unnecessary — perhaps  as  superstitious 

These  and  other  serious  inconveniences  set  before  your 
people,  clearly  and  strongly, — though  in  charitable  language, — 
not  to  give  unnecessary  offence. 


7 


For  those  who  are  already  engaged  in  such  marriages,,  en¬ 
courage  them  to  meet  the  difficulties  of  their  position  by  using 
the  graces  which  God  will  not  refuse  to  their  prayers;  by  great 
fidelity  in  discharging  all  their  duties  to  God  and  to  their  family; 
by  affection,  devotedness  and  good  example  to  the  Non- 
Catholic  husband  or  wife,  and  by  great  care  for  the  spiritual 
well-being  of  their  children. 

The  Banns  of  Matrimony  must  be  published  at  the  principal 
Mass,  on  three  Sundays  or  Holidays  of  Obligation:  and  if  the 
parties  belong  to  different  congregations,  the  publications  must 
be  made  in  both  churches. 

The  Priest  performing  a  marriage  in  which  either  party 
belongs  to  another  congregation,  must  have  a  writing  from  the 
Pastor,  testifying  that  the  Banns  have  been  published,  or  have 
been  duly  dispensed  with. 

Dispensations,  even  from  one  publication,  must  he  asked  for 
through  the  regular  channel.  It  rests  on  the  conscience  of  the 
Priest  to  assure  himself,  before  he  asks  such  dispensation,  that 
there  is  no  impediment,  which  might  be  discovered  through 
the  publication  that  he  wishes  to  omit. 

He  must  also  state  the  reasons  which  appear  to  him  to  justify 
the  dispensation. 

In  publishing  the  Banns,  the  full  names  of  the  parties  and 
their  parents  must  be  announced,  and  the  places  of  residence  or  of 
birth.  The  admonition  must  also  be  given,  that  if  any  one  knows 
of  an  impediment,  he  is  bound  under  mortal  sin  to  make  it 
known  in  time  to  the  Pastor. 

When  any  dispensation  is  needed,  a  Pastor  ought  not  to 
engage  himself  to  perform  the  marriage,  before  he  knows  that 
the  dispensation  is  granted. 

The  faculty  previously  given  in  this  Diocese,  continues  in 
force:  that  when  a  dispensation  is  needed,  and  an  answer  can  not 
be  obtained  within  twenty-four  hours;  and  on  the  other  hand,  the 
case  does  not  admit  delays,  the  Pastor  may  act  as  special  delegate 
of  the  Ordinary  to  grant  the  dispensations  with  the  obligation  of 
sending  immediately  the  usual  application,  and  stating  for  what 
reason  he  has  given  the  dispensation, 

This  power  is  for  cases  of  Disparitas  Cultus,  Mixta  Re- 
ligio,  and  Publication  of  Banns. 

All  applications  for  dispensations  must  be  addressed  to  Rev 
Henry  Moeller,  D.  D.,  at  the  Cathedral.  And  to  avoid  delays,  in 
case  of  his  absence,  the  letter  should  be  marked  “official.” 


8 


If  there  are  two  or  more  impediments,  each  one  must  be 
named  distinctly. 

In  cases  of  consanguinity  and  affinity,  for  marriages  not 
already  made,  the  Bishop  has  no  power  to  dispense,  except 
between  two  Catholics.  If  either  party  is  not  Catholic,  it 
requires  special  permission  from  the  Holy  See. 

Neither  can  the  Bishop  dispense,  if  one  party  is  of  the 
Hebrew  or  Jewish  religion;  nor  in  any  mixed  marriage,  if  one 
party  is  from  the  States  belonging  of  right  to  the  Holy  See,  and 
has  not  changed  residence  permanently. 

If  one  party  is  not  baptized,  the  impediment  is  called  Dis- 
paritas  Cultus.  If  one  is  a  Non-Catholic  but  baptized,  it  is  Mixtra 
Religio.  It  is  well  to  mention  explicitly  whether  the  person 
is  baptized, — or  whether  it  is  uncertain. 

State  distinctly  who  of  the  parties  is  Catholic. 

Do  all  in  your  power  to  have  the  Sacrament  of  Matrimony 
celebrated  at  Mass.  Explain  to  the  people  publicly  and  privately 
the  beautiful  forms  and  the  very  great  blessings  given  at  a  Nup¬ 
tial  Mass;  of  these  the  parties  deprive  themselves  by  marrying  at 
another  time. 

Whatever  time  marriage  is  celebrated,  the  Pastor  must  take 
efficient  measures  to  hinder  the  church  from  being  desecrated — as 
it  sometimes  is — by  a  curious  crowd.  If  there  is  no  other  way  to 
hinder  disorder,  he  can  keep  the  doors  closed  and  admit  only  those 
whom  the  marriage  party  invite,  and  for  whose  good  conduct  they 
will  be  responsible. 

CHURCH  ENTERTAINMENTS. 

In  entertainments  given  for  church  purposes,  or  in  any  way 
sanctioned  by  the  Priest,  there  must  be  no  dancing  after  dark  ; 
and  no  round-dancing  at  any  time. 

P_EGISTERS. 

In  the  registers  of  Baptism  and  Matrimony,  the  full  names  of 
the  parties  and  of  their  parents  should  be  recorded.  In  that  of 
Baptism,  the  mother's  maiden  name  must  be  given  ;  and  it  must 
also  be  expressed  whether  the  child  is  born  in  lawful  wedlock, 
which  is  commonly  done  by  inserting  the  word  “conjures’’  or  an 
equivalent. 

The  names  of  persons  confirmed  must  be  registered,  as  also  of 
their  sponsors. 

The  Pontifical  directs  that  the  same  sponsor  ought  not  to  stand 


—  9  — 

for  more  than  one  or  two  persons,  unless  in  case  of  necessity,  to  be 
judged  of  by  the  Bishop. 

CHURCH  COMMITTEES  OR  WARDENS. 

It  is  of  great  benefit  in  various  ways  that  the  Pastor  call  the 
laity  to  his  assistance  in  managing  the  temporal  affairs  of  his 
church,  by  forming  a  Committee  or  Board  of  Church- Wardens, 
who  will  attend  to  the  collecting  and  preserving  of  the  church 
moneys. 

The  most  common  method  of  choosing  them,  and  the  one  to 
be  followed,  unless  otherwise  authorized  by  the  Bishop,  is  this  : — 
ist— To  call  a  meeting  of  the  pew-holders  who  have  fulfilled  the 
precept  of  Easter  Communion  for  the  last  year,  that  they  may 
choose  a  Committee  of  three  or  five  to  nominate  Candidates. 
This  Nominating  Committee  shall  consult  with  the  Pastor,  and  select 
Candidates  whom  he  does  not  object  to — twice  as  many  Candidates 
as  there  are  Wardens  to  be  elected.  2nd — At  another  meeting  of 
the  pew-holders,  these  Candidates  shall  be  proposed,  and  the 
proper  number  elected  by  ballot. 

No  one  can  vote,  nor  can  serve  as  Warden,  unless  he  is  a 
seat-holder,  and  has  fulfilled  his  obligation  of  Easter  Communion 
for  the  last  year. 

These  Wardens  shall  choose  among  themselves  a  Treasurer, 
who  shall  give  good  bond  for  at  least  twice  the  amount  of  money 
he  may  be  likely  to  have  charge  of.  This  Board  shall  collect  and 
lay  out  all  moneys  of  the  congregation.  And  no  money  shall  be 
disposed  of  without  the  consent  both  of  the  Pastor  and  of  a 
majority  of  the  Wardens. 

The  number  of  Wardens  must  be  not  less  than  two  nor  more 
than  six. 

The  Pastor  is  ex-officio  President  of  the  Board,  and  he  alone 
has  a  right  to  call  meetings. 

The  Treasurer’s  books  must  be  always  open  to  the  inspection 
of  the  Bishop,  the  Pastor,  and  of  the  Wardens. 

Every  six  months  a  statement  of  the  finances  must  be  made 
to  the  congregation  ;  and  an  annual  statement  must  be  sent  to  the 
Bishop,  on  or  before  the  15th  January. 

All  that  is  laid  down  in  the  Statutes  of  the  Diocese,  and  in 
the  Archbishop’s  Letter  of  September  8th,  1865,  concerning  the 
relations  of  the  Pastor  and  the  Church  Board,  must  be  observed  ; 
especially  concerning  the  Pastor’s  exclusive  right  to  appoint 
Teacher,  Organist,  Sexton,  &c. 


—  lo¬ 
in  case  of  any  difference  between  the  Pastor  and  the  Board, 
it  must  be  referred  to  the  Archbishop  or  the  Administrator  of  the 
Diocese,  and  his  decision  shall  be  final. 

No  money  must  be  borrowed,  to  be  loaned  out  again  at  inter¬ 
est.  All  debts  must  be  paid  as  soon  as  possible  ;  and  if  there  is  a 
surplus,  it  must  be  invested  in  bonds,  or  other  securities  approved 
both  by  the  Pastor  and  the  Wardens. 

PACTUM  MARIANUN. 

In  the  Pactum  Marianun,  or  Association  for  offering  three 
Masses  for  the  soul  of  each  member  who  dies,  there  will,  hereafter, 
be  a  further  obligation  of  offering  one  Mass  every  year  for  all  the 
members  living  or  dead.  <ft  should  be  offered  the  first  free  day 
after  Epiphany. 

RUBRICS. 

All  the  candles  prescribed  by  the  Rubrics  must  be  of  wax — 
i.  e.  two  at  Low  Mass,  four  at  an  ordinary  High  Mass,  six  at  a 
solemn  High  Mass,  and  at  least  twelve  at  the  Benediction  of  the 
B.  B.  Sacrament.  Even  brown  wax  must  be  preferred  to  other 
material. 

On  the  lamp  before  the  B.  Sacrament  no  gas  nor  coal  oil  must 
be  used  ;  but  olive  oil,  or  what  is  sold  as  such. 

The  Palls  must  be  of  linen,  on  both  sides,  and  they  must  be 
changed  and  washed  as  often  as  they  become  soiled.  If  there  is 
a  card  inserted,  it  should  be  so  arranged  as  to  be  easily  removed 
before  washing. 

The  Altar-Stone  must  be  sufficiently  large,  and  near  the 
front  edge  of  the  altar,  that  the  entire  Host  and  at  least  half  of 
the  chalice  and  half  of  the  ciborium  may  rest  upon  it. 

A  stone  of  twelve  by  fifteen  inches  (12x15)  is  of  sufficient 
size,  although  a  larger  one  will  be  more  convenient.  The  front 
edge  should  be  not  more  than  one  inch  from  the  edge  of  the  altar. 

A  Bull  of  Pope  Urban  VI II.,  which  is  printed  in  the  begin¬ 
ning  of  the  Missal,  rigorously  forbids  the  using  of  any  Missal, 
unless  it  contains  a  testimony  from  the  Bishop  or  other  competent 
authority,  to  the  effect  that  after  it  was  printed,  it  was  carefully 
compared  with  the  Standards  and  found  to  be  correct.  Every 
Pastor  ought  to  examine  his  Missal,  and  if  it  has  not  such  testi¬ 
mony,  he  must  obtain  another.  This  applies  with  equal  rigor  to 
to  the  small  Missals  containing  only  the  Masses  for  the  Dead. 

Since  a  Corporal  once  used  is  liable  to  have  small  fragments 


II 


left  in  it  unnoticed,  it  is  not  advisable  to  have  various  Corporals 
lying  in  the  different  Burses,  where  those  fragments  may  remain 
for  months. 

There  should  be  a  special  Burse,  containing  one  or  more 
Corporals  and  Palls  for  daily  use,  and  when  these  are  soiled  others 
should  be  substituted  for  them. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  care  of  our  Catholic  children  is  probably  the  most  urgent 
of  all  our  obligations  just  now. 

We  admire,  indeed,  the  zeal  of  our  fellow  citizens  in  behalf 
of  education:  though  we  cannot  but  deplore  the  serious  errors  too 
commonly  prevailing  in  their  ideas  of  what  constitutes  true  edu¬ 
cation  ;  and  grieve  over  the  dreadful  moral  and  social  evils  which 
the  present  method  of  public  education  manifestly  fails  to  diminish, 
and  we  fear  it  much  increases  them. 

But  while  we  respect  the  liberty  of  our  neighbors  to  educate 
their  children  according  to  their  own  views  ;  we  are  bound  to 
exert  ourselves  to  the  utmost,  to  have  our  own  well  trained  in  the 
knowledge  and  virtue  which  will  make  them  good  Christians,  and 
consequently,  faithful  and  useful  citizens. 

The  first  step  is  to  make  our  schools  truly  efficient,  in  both 
religious  and  secular  teaching.  You  labor,  of  course,  under  a 
heavy  disadvantage  ;  since  your  congregations  are  obliged,  first  to 
contribute  to  the  education  of  their  neighbors’  children,  by  public 
taxes  ;  and  afterwards  out  of  their  poverty,  to  support  their  own 
schools  without  help  from  their  neighbors. 

But  this  is  one  of  those  burdens  which  God  so  often  leaves 
on  His  servants  in  this  life,  on  purpose  to  stimulate  them  to  greater 
efforts  ;  and  to  give  Himself  an  occasion  for  showing  His  power 
and  love,  by  blessing  them  with  success  beyond  their  own  means. 

Never  cease,  therefore,  striving  for  the  perfection  of  your 
schools,  so  that  parents  “seeking  first  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven” 
for  their  children,  shall  have  added  to  them  also  secular  learning 
equalling  or  surpassing  that  of  their  neighbors,  in  all  things  that 
will  serve  the  children  practically  to  work  their  way  through  the 
world. 

Instruct  parents,  both  in  public  and  in  private,  that  if  they 
deprive  their  children  of  the  benefit  of  Catholic  Schools,  when 
they  can  be  had,  they  wrong  their  children  grievously.  And  they 
will  feel  the  consequences  even  in  this  life  :  when  those  children, 
brought  up  with  less  love  and  fear  of  God,  will  prove  deficient 


also  in  love  and  reverence  for  their  parents;  deficient  in  fidelity 
to  their  duties  among  men;  deficient  in  respect  for  the  laws  and 
good  order  of  their  country. 

As  this  is  a  most  important  part  of  Parents’  obgligations  to 
Almighty  God  ;  they  are  bound  to  listen  to  the  teaching  of  their 
Pastor.  If  any  think  they  have  reasons  sufficient  to  hinder  them 
from  sending  their  children  to  the  Catholic  school,  it  is  for  their 
Pastor  to  judge,  whether  the  reasons  are  truly  sufficient  before 
God. 

While  no  reservation  is  made  of  the  power  of  absolving  in 
such  cases  ;  yet  Priests  ought  not  to  give  absolution  to  parents 
who  deprive  their  children  of  Catholic  schooling,  unless  they  know 
that  the  Pastor  approves  the  reasons. 

The  practice  of  removing  children  from  the  Catholic  school 
when  they  have  received  Confirmation  is  full  of  injury  to  their 
souls,  and  directly  opposed  to  the  designs  of  God. 

It  is  precisely  after  Confirmation,  that  they  will  be  best  able 
to  profit  by  Catholic  teaching  ;  because  in  this  Sacrament  the  Holy 
Ghost  brings  the  gifts  of  Knowledge  and  Understanding  :  that  is, 
the  power  and  the  disposition  to  learn  more  easily  and  to  under¬ 
stand  more  clearly  the  truths  concerning  God  and  our  souls. 

Moreover  the  chief  work  of  education,  is  not  the  mere  learn¬ 
ing  of  truths  in  the  memory  ;  but  the  training  of  the  heart  and  will  to 
do  what  is  right,  and  to  resist  the  evil  inclinations  of  nature.  Now 
these  inclinations  grow  stronger  as  children  grow  older  ;  therefore, 
they  have  more  need  than  before  of  Catholic  teaching  and  dis¬ 
cipline. 

CONFESSIONS  OF  YOUNG  CHILDREN. 

I  am  glad  to  understand  that  Pastors  are  faithful  to  their  duty 
towards  children  who  have  not  made  their  First  Communion, 
by  calling  them  to  confession  every  three  months  —  in  or  about 
the  Ember  Weeks. 

Now  that  your  Congregations  are  divided  —  let  each  Pastor 
look  after  the  children  who  may  fail  to  come. 

If  any  should  be  found  in  mortal  sin,  they  must  be  prepared 
for  Absolution,  and  must  receive  it  either  at  once,  or  very  soon. — 
And  if  they  are  found  to  need  more  frequent  Confession,  for  over¬ 
coming  sinful  dispositions,  the  Confessor  must  arrange  for  them  to 
come  more  frequently. 


J3 


HOME  EDUCATION. 

Instruct  parents  in  the  duty  of  educating  their  children  at 
home  by  example,  by  precept  and  by  watchfulness,  to  avoid  all 
sin  and  to  practise  virtue. 

They  should  train  children  to  entire  and  prompt  obedience 
to  their  parents’  will.  They  should  begin  early,  as  soon  as  the 
child  is  capable  of  understanding  what  the  parent  wishes.  They 
should  continue  it  constantly,  so  that  the  habit  of  obedience  and 
respect  may  grow  with  their  growth  even  to  manhood  and 
womanhood. 

They  must  likewise  oblige  their  children  to  obey  and  respect 
Pastor  and  Teacher,  and  all  others  in  authority.  They  should  pot 
encourage  them  in  bringing  complaints  from  school  ;  nor  easily  be¬ 
lieve  their  stories.  They  should  make  their  children  obedient, 
respectful,  industrious,  and  obliging.  Above  all,  they  must  give 
the  example  of  serving  God,  by  prayer  and  frequent  use  of  the 
Sacraments. 


DRESSES  AND  NAMES. 

On  occasion  of  First  Communion  and  Confirmation,  parents 
in  their  desire  to  honor  those  happy  da}Ts,  often  make  a  serious 
mistake  in  dressing  their  children  with  too  much  show  and  ex¬ 
pense.  Guard  them  against  this.  It  is  sometimes  a  burden  for 
poor  families  :  and  it  is  always  a  distraction  to  the  children,  and  a 
temptation  to  worldly  vanity,  at  a  time  when  their  hearts  ought  to 
be  occupied  with  Our  Lord  alone.  It  is  for  the  richer  parents  to 
give  the  good  example.  When  convenient  for  a  girl  to  be  dressed 
in  white,  it  is  very  proper  ;  but  the  plainer  the  dress,  both,  in 
material  and  in  make,  the  more  becoming  it  is  to  those  occasions. 
There  should  be  no  silk,  nor  jewelry,  nor  lace  veils,  nor  fancy 
shoes.  Neither  should  they  wear  gloves. 

You  ought  to  encourage  the  practice  of  taking,  in  Confirma¬ 
tion,  the  name  of  s.ome  Saint  whom  the  person  desires  to  have  for 
a  special  patron.  This  name  ought  to  be  chosen  with  reference  to 
the  Saint  ;  not  for  the  mere  purpose  of  complimenting  a  living 
friend. 

And  in  connection  with  this,  advise  parents  to  give  their 
children  full  Christian  names,  and  not  abbreviations  or  pet  names. 


—  I4  — 

If  they  please  to  make  use  of  these  familiarly  in  the  family,  it  is 
well  enough.  But  when  a  young  girl  is  growing  up,  it  is  not 
well  to  allow  every  young  man  that  speaks  to  her,  to  use  a  pet 
name  as  if  he  were  as  intimate  as  her  brother.  Although  this  is 
only  a  little  matter  in  itself,  it  contributes  its  share  towards 
lessening  the  maidenly  reserve  which  is  so  beautiful  and  so  ser¬ 
viceable  on  ornament.  It  likewise  detracts  from  the  Christian 
dignity  of  womanhood,  for  one  to  be  all  her  life  addressed  as  if  she 
were  a  pet  child,  instead  of  a  lady  owning  a  Christian  name,  and 
entitled  to  the  respect  of  having  it  used. 

For  your  pupils  then  who  have  full  Christian  names,  make  use 
of  them,  at'  least  on  public  occasions,  and  direct  the  teachers  of 
your  schools  to  do  the  same. 

CHURCH  MUSIC. 

The  abuses  too  commonly  existing  in  Church  Music,  are  seen 
and  complained  of  by  every  one  who  feels  concerned  for  the 
respect  due  to  God’s  worship,  and  for  the  devotion  of  those  who 
attend  it. 

Some  of  the  most  palpable  ones  can  be  corrected  with  little 
or  no  delay,  by  each  Pastor  in  his  own  Church,  and  it  rests  as  a 
serious  obligation  under  pain  of  sin — on  the  conscience  of  a  Priest, 
to  have  them  corrected  at  once. 

When  some  of  the  words  belonging  to  the  liturgy  are 
omitted — or  when  they  are  inverted  so  as  to  destroy  or  change 
the  sense — he  can  easily  remedy  it,  by  looking  over  the  music  of 
his  choir,  and  getting  them  to  exclude  all  pieces  defective  in  this 
regard.  Among  other  words,  let  him  see  that  the  Amen  is  not  left 
out — when  it  belongs  to  the  liturgy,  as  in  the  O  Salutaris  and  the 
Tantum  Ergo. 

Another  abuse  easily  corrected  —  is  the  continuance  of  singing 
during  the  Elevation;  and  the  interference  with  the  Holy  Sacri¬ 
fice,  by  delaying  the  Celebrant,  when  it  is  time  to  sing  the  Pre¬ 
face,  the  Pater  Noster,  or  the  prayers  after  the  Holy  Com¬ 
munion.  ' 

To  remedy  this  the  Pastor  should  direct  the  choir  to  sing 
shorter  pieces,  or  else  to  stop  singing,  even  though  the  piece  is 
not  finished. 

A  little  friendlv  instruction  given  to  the  choir,  can  accomplish 
these  corrections. — Let  the  singers  understand  that  whereas  God 
rewards  them  for  using  their  talents  in  the  holy  service,  and 


*5 


whereas  the  Pastor  in  God’s  name  is  thankful  for  their  assistance, 
— so,  to  merit  the  reward  they  must  do  their  part  in  a  way  that 
will  not  hinder,  but  will  advance  God’s  honor,  by  promoting 
reverence  and  piety  among  the  people. 

There  are  other  evils  in  the  prevalent  Church-Music,  for 
which  the  remedy  is  not  so  simple.  They  adapt  to  sacred 
words,  music  taken  from  operas  and  other  works  well  known 
in  places  of  amusement;  and  persons  who  have  heard  them  there? 
— find  their  minds  and  hearts  distracted  from  every  thing  sacred, 
sometimes  tempted  even  with  the  ludicrous. 

Again  in  music,  both  adapted  and  original,  the  composer 
endeavors  to  display  his  genius,  or  the  singer’s  voice — in  passages 
that  disturb  instead  of  promoting  any  sentiments  of  piety  or 
reverence. 

The  remedy  for  these  abuses,  is  not  so  simple,  because  it  is 
not  easy  to  find  in  the  music  commonly  used,  a  sufficiency  of  com¬ 
positions  free  from  these  disorders.  And  not  every  Pastor  has 
sufficient  acquaintance  with  music,  to  encourage  him  in  relying 
on  his  own  judgment  in  these  matters. 

But  there  is  a  remedy  for  these  likewise,  although  not  im¬ 
mediately  available  in  all  places.  The  Cecilian  Society— an  asso¬ 
ciation  established  expressly  for  the  correction  of  abuses  in  Church 
Music  —publishes  a  Catalogue  of  Masses  and  other  Sacred 
Compositions,  which  have  been  carefully  examined  by  com¬ 
petent  judges,  skilled  in  music,  and  familiar  with  the  liturgy 
and  its  rubrics,  and  pronounced  by  them,  to  be  free  from  all  these 
inconveniences. 

Of  course  their  judgment  is  not  infallible,  but  I  do  not  know 
of  any  other  board  of  examiners  who  have  higher  claims  on  our 
confidence.  I  warmly  recommend  the  music  which  they  approve. 
It  will  be  difficult  to  some  choirs,  because  the  style  is  different 
from  what  they  are  accustomed  to.  But  even  for  these,  some  of 
the  simplest  Masses  could  be  prepared  for  ordinary  occasions, 
and  for  greater  festivals  perhaps  they  can  find  enough  that  is  free 
from  the  abuses  we  have  spoken  of. 

These  things — with  all  the  others,  laid  down  in  the  Statutes, 
and  in  the  instructions  given  by  the  Venerable  Archbishop — 
I  commend  anew  to  your  faithful  observance. 

Hcec  fac,  et  vives . 

Continue  your  prayers  for  him — and  add  a  remembrance 
for  me. 


6 


We  wish  you  and  your  flocks  all  the  joys  of  Christmas  for 
soul  and  body.  And  may  it  enrich  you  with  graces  and  good 
works  to  greet  His  final  evening. 

Prcecipio  tibi  coram  Deo ,  ut  serves  mandatum  sine  macula , 
irreprehensibile  usque  in  adventum  Domini  nostri  Jesu  Christi. 
(I.  ad  Tim.  vi.  13,  14.) 

WILLIAM  HENRY  ELDER, 
Coadj.  to  Arb.  Cincinnati. 

Feast  of  St.  Thomas  Ap., 

Dec.  2 1  st,  1880. 


